"Purchases cannot be based only on prices, to the detriment of other parameters"

"Our company is celebrating its 100th anniversary, as it was founded on 5 October 1825 by my great-grandfather, Simone Gatto," reports Rovena Raymo, marketing and sales manager of the Sicilian Simone Gatto. Raymo explains that the company produces natural fruit juices destined for the beverage sector, artisanal ice cream parlours, and big retail chains. "Our main products include blood orange juice, which represents a market niche linked to the Sicilian citrus groves of Mount Etna, and tangerine juice, which won the Italian Food Award for innovation in 2020. The company is well known for its specialisation in the production of essential oils and natural citrus juices from the Sicilian supply chain."

Founded in the 1820s, Simone Gatto is a family business specialising in pure and natural citrus juices and essential oils of Italian origin that also boasts a 6-hectare citrus fruit grove. Juices are obtained by the traditional birillatura method, which reproduces the domestic juicer, or with high-yield extractors. The facility in San Pier Niceto covers an area of 120,000 square metres, of which 11,500 are covered and destined for the office, processing, and service units.

© Azienda Simone Gatto

The company policy is based on ethical behaviour, sustainable development, and respect for the environment, using technologically-advanced equipment. At the helm of the company are the four Raymo siblings: Alessandro, Rovena, Simona, and Vilfredo. In the 1960s, a turning point came with the transformation of Simone Gatto into a company that processes lemons and tangerines on an industrial level, starting the global export of citrus juices and essential oils.

Lemons showed a significant recovery during the first half of the year. Quotations of the fresh produce increased compared to the same period last year, supporting a high demand for natural lemon and fresh lemon juice. For blood oranges, on the other hand, the 2025 harvest was lower in volume and quality than the 2024 harvest. Prices of the fruits destined for the processing industry were higher, and competition with the fresh market made it difficult to find oranges available for industrial processing.

Sicilian blood orange derivatives maintain a significant position in world demand due to their superior quality in the beverage and flavouring market. Demand for NFC (Not From Concentrate) blood orange juice and concentrates, as well as for essential oils, remained high, despite a price increase in the last 48 months for all orange derivatives. A similar trend was observed for blond oranges, with increasing prices and decreasing volumes available. This is attributable to the low production of the major citrus juice-producing countries.

Rovena Raymo points out that climate change makes yield and volume forecasts uncertain. Lemon juice is the leading product in terms of quantities processed. Blood orange juice is appreciated and recognised as a typical Sicilian product. Tangerine juice, with its aromatic flavour, remains a niche product.

Commercially, Raymo considers communication and education to raise consumer awareness to be desirable. "The aim is to support Italian companies that produce citrus fruit juices naturally, promoting choices that prioritise health over price alone."

For more information:
Simone Gatto Srl
Contrada San Biagio
98045 San Pier Niceto (ME)
+39 090 9982911
[email protected]
www.simonegatto.com